The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds

Lore & Background

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is set many years after the events of A Link to the Past. Players assume the role of Link, who sets out to restore peace to Hyrule after the sorcerer Yuga captures Princess Zelda and escapes through a rift into the parallel world of Lorule. Yuga desires to kidnap the Seven Sages and use their power to resurrect the demon king Ganon. Link obtains a magic bracelet that grants him the ability to merge into walls as a 2D painting, allowing him to reach new areas and travel between Hyrule and Lorule.

The game takes place in two kingdoms: Hyrule and Lorule, which bear a nonlinear structure and similar layout but contrast in style and tone. Lorule is a kingdom that once possessed a Triforce, which was destroyed to stop its people from fighting for its power; without a Triforce, Lorule decayed into a ruined land. Within the series chronology, A Link Between Worlds falls in the 'Defeated Hero' timeline, taking place after A Link to the Past and between the Oracle games and the original The Legend of Zelda.

Concept development began with a small team in 2009, shortly after the completion of Spirit Tracks. The wall-merging mechanic was prototyped during this phase, but development suffered setbacks and ceased entirely in late 2010 as core team members were reassigned. Development restarted in 2011 and entered full production in 2012. At the request of series creator Shigeru Miyamoto, the game's world and setting were based on A Link to the Past, though many areas were significantly reworked. The designers sought to rethink series conventions, leading to two key changes: allowing players to clear most dungeons in any order, and introducing an item rental system.

Reader's Guide

A Link Between Worlds received critical acclaim, with praise directed at its soundtrack, engaging gameplay, new features, and nostalgic feeling, though the art style received mixed reviews. The game also received multiple awards and nominations. It sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide in its first five months, and over 4.26 million copies worldwide by 2022. The game received a direct sequel, Tri Force Heroes, in October 2015.

Gameplay is presented in stereoscopic 3D polygonal graphics from a top-down perspective. Unlike previous games, items are rented or purchased from the merchant Ravio rather than found in dungeons; if Link dies, rented items are returned to Ravio. Items do not require ammunition but instead use a shared energy gauge that replenishes over time. The wall-merging mechanic is central to traversal, puzzle-solving, and traveling between Hyrule and Lorule via fissures. The game uses the 3DS's Play Coin and StreetPass systems: Play Coins can be used for tips from Hint Ghosts, and StreetPass allows players to fight AI-controlled Shadow Links. A more challenging 'Hero Mode' is unlocked upon completing the main adventure, in which the player takes four times the damage.

The game's legacy includes its open-ended dungeon order and rental system, which rethought established Zelda conventions. Its direct sequel, Tri Force Heroes, continued the series on the Nintendo 3DS.

Did You Know?

• The game was announced in April 2013 and released in Australia, Europe, and North America in November, with a Japanese release a month later.
• Link's ability to merge onto walls was prototyped during concept development that began in 2009.